Shortly after the election, Defra offered the SNMA the opportunity to comment on the new EU School Milk Scheme national strategy, as well as copies of new guidance and supporting forms. As Defra had previously informed us, there were few changes to the current programme. The key points to note were:

The UK has been allocated a total of €4,219,008 for the 2017/18 school year. The amount of EU aid payable per portion will remain at €186.945 per kilolitre for milk and yoghurt. National aid of £39.855 per kilolitre will continue to increase the level of subsidy.

The range of products that are eligible for subsidy will remain the same: whole or semi-skimmed heat-treated or UHT milk, and lactose free milk, together with whole or semi-skimmed plain yoghurt. All will be limited to a maximum of 7% added sugar.

As before, suppliers must be approved by RPA or Northern Ireland’s DAERA in advance of claims, and can be:

an individual education authority, in respect of products distributed in schools in its area;

an individual school;

a supplier; or

an organisation set up for the purpose of supplying milk products under the scheme.

We asked SNMA members for feedback, and based on the responses received told Defra that we were broadly happy with the strategy.

The scheme guidance, which has since been published on the Defra website, states that the flavoured milk will receive a reduced subsidy depending on the level of added sugar. Although no further details are given, if it follows the Scottish scheme, this will mean that only the plain milk component will be eligible for subsidy (e.g. providing a product which is 95% milk and 5% flavourings would result in a 5% reduction in subsidy for that product). We are seeking to clarify this point.